Minnesota House Democrats call for $1.15 billion more for education

The Minnesota House Democratic majority on Monday proposed spending $1.15 billion of the state’s $9.25 billion budget surplus on education, which differs with Republicans who control the Senate. Republicans want to cut taxes by $3.4 billion while spending $30 million more on schools

“With a historic budget surplus, we need to deliver for Minnesota students,” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, said at a news conference.

The “catch-all” House Democratic education package would focus on mental health support for students, such as counselors and social workers, as well as special education services and English language learners.

The House Democratic plan also includes a voluntary statewide pre-kindergarten program that Democrats have touted for some time now.  This includes $2.12 billion in new education spending for the next two-year budget, which would require approval by the 2023 Legislature.

GOP Sen. Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes, who chairs his chamber’s education committee, criticized the Democratic plan, stating that schools have already received more than $1 billion in new state funding under the two-year budget adopted last year and $2.6 billion in federal COVID-19 relief. 

The central point of the Senate Republican education bill is $30 million to bolster reading proficiency, with the goal of having 90% of third-graders reading at grade level.